Summary
- Release Year: 1986
- Genres: Adventure, Role-playing game (RPG)
- Platforms: Apple II, Atari 8-bit, Atari ST/STE, Commodore C64/128/MAX, MSX
- Publishers: Bothtec, Inc., SSI (Strategic Simulations, Inc.)
Phantasie II: A Classic CRPG with Improved Quests and Combat
Released in 1986 by SSI, Phantasie II is a classic computer role-playing game (CRPG) that offers a challenging and rewarding experience. As the sequel to the popular Phantasie, Phantasie II retains the same basic gameplay and graphics as its predecessor, but with several notable improvements, including more complex quests and a more refined combat system.
Story
The story of Phantasie II takes place on the beautiful island of Ferronrah, which has been cursed by the evil Dark Lord Nikademus. Nikademus has fashioned an evil orb, which he uses to enslave the people of Ferronrah. The player’s mission is to find and destroy the orb, and to defeat Nikademus.
Gameplay
Phantasie II is a turn-based CRPG in which the player controls a party of up to six characters. The game world is explored from a first-person perspective, and combat takes place on a separate screen.
The game’s character creation system is fairly robust, allowing players to choose from a variety of races, classes, and alignments. Each race and class has its own unique strengths and weaknesses, so players must carefully consider their party composition before setting out on their adventure.
Combat in Phantasie II is turn-based, and players have a variety of options to choose from each turn, including attacking, casting spells, or using items. The combat system is fairly simple, but it is still challenging, especially against the game’s more difficult enemies.
Quests
One of the most notable improvements in Phantasie II over its predecessor is the complexity of its quests. The game features a variety of quests, ranging from simple fetch quests to complex puzzles. Many of the quests are interconnected, and players must often complete multiple quests in order to progress.
The quests in Phantasie II are well-written and engaging, and they do a good job of keeping the player motivated. The game’s world is also very large and open-ended, giving players the freedom to explore and complete quests at their own pace.
Graphics and Sound
Phantasie II uses the same graphics and sound as its predecessor, which are fairly primitive by today’s standards. The game’s graphics are tile-based, and the character sprites are small and simple. The sound effects are also very basic.
Despite its primitive graphics and sound, Phantasie II has a certain charm that is still appealing today. The game’s simple visuals allow players to use their imaginations to fill in the details, and the game’s soundtrack is surprisingly catchy.
Overall
Phantasie II is a classic CRPG that offers a challenging and rewarding experience. The game’s improved quests and combat system make it a worthwhile sequel to its predecessor, and its open-ended world and engaging story will keep players entertained for hours on end.
Review Score
7.5 out of 10
Pros
- Complex and engaging quests
- Refined combat system
- Open-ended world
- Charming graphics and sound
Cons
- Primitive graphics and sound
- Some tedious gameplay elements
- Lack of innovation
Review Score
7.5/10
